On January 15, 2025, Athens College Elementary School welcomed with great pleasure the Ambassador of the United States of America to Greece, Mr. G. Tsunis. The event opened with remarks by Athens College Elementary School Director Mr. G. Kalogeras who welcomed all the attendees.

Mr. Tsunis was the keynote speaker of the event of the non-profit organization Project Connect, which celebrates its 10-year anniversary. The US Ambassador highlighted the importance of Greek shipping, the role of Greece as the cradle of civilization and the starting point of democracy, while he also referred to his own "journey" from his early years in America until today.

The baton was passed from the Ambassador to Ms. E. Notia, President of Project Connect, while Mr. C. Lefteratos, Athens College Grade 4 teacher, presented with his students the actions that were carried out in the framework of the Adopt A Ship program, which is implemented in Greece under the auspices of the organization. Two students of section 4b, O. Anagnostopoulou and S. Delikostopoulos, dramatized a letter sent by a captain to the Elementary School of Davleia, in the prefecture of Boeotia, and together with other students asked the Ambassador questions, which he answered with great care and directness.

The event was also welcomed by the treasurer of the "Union of Greek Shipowners", first founding member of Project Connect, owner of Ariston, president of Intercargo and one of the first owners to provide a ship for the Adopt a Ship program, Mr. G. Xylas. Dr. A. Spanaka, educational consultant of Adopt A Ship, presented the program. Finally, our students attended the presentation of Mr. M. Fragiadakis, FOS Breakthrough on "Opinion and Knowledge", while the event concluded with a speech by motivational speaker Dr. G. Kalogerakis, who inspired us to start the new year with "Focus and Action".

Athens College Elementary School offered speakers a handmade boat on a turquoise crystal as a souvenir, symbolizing the stormy sea.

The event was attended in person by members of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic-American Educational Foundation, the President of Athens College, Professor S.N. Pollalis, the Director of Psychico College Elementary, Ms. D. Panagouli, the Presidents of the Parents Associations of the two Elementary Schools, four sections of Athens College Elementary (2c, 2f, 4b, 4c), section 3g of the Psychico College Elementary, as well as sections from the Arsakeio Tositsio Elementary School, the Ipatia Schools, the European Standard School, the 9th Vocational High School of Piraeus and the ACS. The event was broadcast online, with the participation of 98 schools from all over Greece.